Oldham MP calls for Government to address dementia care crisis

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams, who is also chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia (APPG), is uniting with MPs from other parties, people affected by dementia and their carers, and the Alzheimer’s Society, and is calling on the Government to address the social care workforce crisis, which is particularly impacting on people living with dementia.

The APPG, supported by Alzheimer’s Society, has released a Workforce Matters report which calls for a ten-year People Plan to create a specialist social care workforce that is specifically trained to care for people living with dementia, providing high-quality personalised care.  

As social care job vacancies hit a record 165,000, the group urged the Government to prioritise the social care workforce, providing better pay, career progression and mandatory dementia training to ensure people with dementia can live the lives they want to.  

With the number of people living with dementia in the UK set to rise to 1.6 million by 2040, from 900,000 today, the pressures on the social care system are set to grow even further.

In May 2021, NHS Digital figures show that 1,618 older people in Oldham have a dementia diagnosis.

However, the number of those living with the condition was estimated to be around 2,248.

Explaining why the various groups had come together to highlight the issue, Ms Abrahams said: “After years of inaction, the APPG welcomed the Government’s adult social care white paper last year, but we can’t let these commitments fall by the wayside. 

“The new Prime Minister has a duty to reform the social care system, and to ensure people affected by dementia are at the heart of any discussions on this subject. 

“A comprehensive People Plan for social care must be developed, and the workforce must be trained to understand dementia, with time to give meaningful, consistent care. 

“Having cared for my mum who had Alzheimer’s Disease including in my first few years as a MP, like many others, I understand the issues for people living with dementia and caring for a loved one with dementia. 

"I have urged my Parliamentary colleagues from all parties to support the APPG’s workforce recommendations and ensure the 900,000 people living with the condition in the UK are given the personalised care they really need.” 

Alzheimer’s Society say it is critical to create a workforce now which could deliver the care people with dementia need.

Currently people with dementia make up 70% of residents in care homes and 60% of people who access homecare.  

A survey of nearly 2,000 people1 affected by dementia revealed less than half of people affected by dementia felt care staff had a good understanding of dementia, and over a quarter of people didn’t feel involved in the care received.  

People interviewed for the report revealed carers lack dementia training and can sometimes struggle to deal with more challenging needs; people with dementia are faced with a revolving door of changeable carers, unable to build meaningful relationships; and family members often aren’t consulted about their loved one’s care and feel a lack of control.  

Kate Lee, CEO at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “Providing good social care isn’t just about getting someone up and showered and given their medication.

"It’s about giving people purpose, dignity and allowing them to have a good quality of life.

"Sadly, one in four people told us they didn’t feel at all involved in the care they received.

"My mum has dementia, and I know that personalised care is just so important for her wellbeing.  

“We’re going to need 480,000 more social care staff by 2035 to meet growing demand, but we need to make sure they’re actually supported, respected and incentivised to stay.

"Hardworking care staff desperately want the skills, time and support to do their job well, but they’re over-stretched and under-resourced.

"The Government have pledged £500m, but this is nowhere near enough given the size of the workforce and the scale of change needed, and we’ve heard nothing about the fundamental issue of pay.

"The average care worker earns just £9.50 an hour, and shockingly 400,000 care staff earn less than the lowest wage paid by major supermarkets. 

“Prime Minister Rishi Sunak must prioritise social care.

"We need to see better pay and career progression, mandatory training in dementia and an audit of the current workforce knowledge and skills.

"A People Plan is the only way to build a better system for people with dementia, their families and hardworking care staff.”

The full report can be viewed here

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